Filtering machine

ABSTRACT

A filtering machine based upon an endless ring-shaped rotating filter blanket continually being turned inside-out to disengage solid particles impinged upon the inside of the filter blanket.

ilnited States Patent Inventors Harvey M. Weuger;

Norman E. Archer, both ol Holland, Mich.

Appl. No. 8,453

Filed Feb. 4, 1970 Patented Dec. 21, 1971 Assignee Wals, lnc.

FILTERING MACHINE 13 Claims, 14 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl. 210/376 Int. Cl. B04b 3/08 Fleld of Search 210/370, 385, 377

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,411,582 4/1922 Parker etal Primary Examiner-J. L. DeCesare Attorney-Glenn B. Morse ABSTRACT: Afiltering machine based upon an endless ringshaped rotating filterblanket continually being turned insideout to disengage solid particlesimpinged upon the inside of the filter blanket.

PATEMTED HEW I SHEET l [1}? 6 INVENTORS Mummy qer BY Newma 5 ArcherATTORNEY PATENTEU new W3 32866 INVENTORS Harvey Mo Wenger Nmmun E.Archer ATTUPNE Y INVENTORS Harvey W6nger BY Marmara E. Archer ATTU.WNEY

PATENTEU DEW I97! SHEET 3 OF 6 PATENTEU 051321 1971 SHEET t UP 6 JTORSWenger E. rcher ATTORNEY ormun MTENTEU UECZI 187i SHEET 6 UF 6lllllllllllllllllii\\\\\\\\\\\\ INVENTORS Harvey M. Wenger BY Norman E.Archer ATTURNEY IFIL'IEIIING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Theremoval of suspended and entrained solid particles from a liquid isnormally accomplished through the use of a filter. The passage of theliquid through the filter material results in the mechanical removalfrom the liquid of all particles in excess of a selected size. Theprocess is analogous to a screening operation. The movement of theliquid through the filter is induced either through the action ofgravity, or by the generation of some pressure differential across thefilter mass. Centrifugal force has been utilized to produce thispressure differential, usually by providing a generally cylindricalrotating filter mass, in which the raw material is dumped into thecentral area. The liquid moves radially through the filter mass, leavingthe solid material entrapped on the inside surface.

The problem of renewing the filter mass recurs in the design of allhigh-capacity filtration equipment. It is obvious that the progressiveaccumulation of solid material in a filter will ultimately block off theflow of liquid to the point that insufficient liquid will flow throughthe mass under the available pressure differentials to satisfy thecapacity requirements. Endless belt filters have been developed,particularly in conjunction with air-conditioning equipment, forpresenting a continually renewed filter mass to the incoming fluid. Thisbelt may be passed through a solvent or purging station for continuousrenewal as the operation proceeds. To applicants knowledge, previousfilter design has not made it possible to utilize centrifugal forcepressure differentials to induce movement of the raw material throughthe filter, coupled with a continuously renewed filter mass.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a continuouslyrenewed filter mass in a machine utilizing centrifugal force to inducethe movement of the fluid through the mass. A preferably annular filterblanket in the form of a ring-shaped tube is held in the desiredconfiguration by a structure within the tube, with the result that thefilter blanket has one layer on the outside of this structure, and theother layer on the inside. The filter blanket passes around the axiallyopposite ends of this inner structure with the assistance of rollers.

The subassembly of filter blanket and internal ring structure issupported by a rotating carrier equipped with groups of rollers engagingthe subassembly, and preferably axially between the ends at a positionsuch that the outer course of the filter blanket is depressed radiallyinward so that the carrier rollers, being axially interposed between therollers supporting the filter blanket on the ring structure, are capableof positioning the subassembly against displacement in either axialdirection, and also laterally. The filter blanket and its associatedring structure therefore rotate with the carrier, and the preferred formof the machine utilizes a vertical axis of rotation.

Raw fluid is admitted in the central area of the device, and centrifugalforce will induce movement outward against the inner course of thefilter blanket. A drive mechanism induces continuing movement of thefilter blanket around the rollers of the interior ring structure toproduce the effect of continually turning the blanket inside-out. Adrive mechanism is incorporated in the carrier by inducing the rotationof the rollers supporting the filter subassembly. The interior ringstruc ture defining the shape of the filter blanket is preferably in aslightly conical configuration such that liquid moving through the innercourse of the filter blanket will have a natural ten dency to movedownward toward the major diameter of the ring structure, thussupplementing the action of gravity to control the direction of movementof the liquid material. The driving of the filter blanket is facilitatedby incorporating a layer of metallic mesh material along with thematerial performing the principal filtering function.

Liquid moving downward along the inside of the ring within the filterblanket is carried to a predetermined point defined by the lower edgeofthe ring, which is surrounded by an annular receiver. As the liquidpasses down over the edge of the ring, and moves radially outwardthrough the outer course of the filter blanket, it impinges upon thisreceiver, and accumulates at a drain outlet. Solid material moves upwardalong the inner course of the filter blanket, and passes over the top ofthe device. At this point, the combination of centrifugal force and theflexing of the filter blanket as it passes over the ring rollers inducesa separation of the solid particles form the filter blanket, from whichthey are thrown outwardly onto a second surrounding collector. Thismaterial drops into a hopper, which is preferably outside of, andcoaxial with, the inner liquid-accumulating receiver. The solid materialis removed from the outer hopper by any convenient means, such as ascrew conveyor. This form of separation is particularly useful insituations in which the percentage of solid material in the raw input isrelatively large, and where it is desired to conserve this material. Theraw material is preferably located within the rotor assembly by a fixedcylindrical shroud spaced at its lower end from a plate which is part ofthe rotative assembly. A gap between the lower end of the fixed shroudand the plate determines the size of solid particles that are to bethrown against the filter blanket. It is preferable to incorporate onagitator having some degree of pulverizing action to progressivelyreduce the size of any larger particles as the machine continues itsoperation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of the exteriorof the filtering machine, from the side provided with the liquiddischarge.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the opposite side of the machine fromthat shown in FIG. ll.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale showing the structuraldetails of the fixed frame of the machine.

FIG. I is a sectional elevation showing the interior of the machine withone outer panel removed.

FIG. 5 is a view on an enlarged scale showing the metallic mesh materialpreferably incorporated with the filter blanket for support and driving.

FIG. 6 is a sectional elevation on the plane 66 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 7 is an exterior view on the plane 7--7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. h is a sectional plan view on the plane 8-8 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a section on the plane 9-9 of FIG. 6.

FIG. is a fragmentary plan view showing the screw conveyor details.

FIG. 11 is a section on an enlarged scale taken on a vertical planethrough one side of the filter blanket and carrier structure.

FIG. 12 is a sectional elevation showing the drive mechanism forinducing movement of the filter blanket.

FIG. 13 is an elevation of the drive mechanism shown in FIG. l2.

FIG. M presents the concentric components of the inner portion of themachine, which include the internal ring structure for the filterblanket, the rotating carrier, the fixed internal shroud, and the liquidcollector.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 3, the fixedframe of the machine includes the vertical comer members 20-23, "the topedge members 24-27, the bottom edge members 23-31, the bottomreinforcing rails Bil-35, and the conveyor supporting rails 36 and 37.Diagonal members 38-4l extend from the respective cor ners to thecentral plate d2 which supports the rotor assembly. A sheet metalhousing 43 surrounds the machine, and forms the outer surface of acollector for solid material. Raw material is admitted at the inlet M,filtered liquid is withdrawn at 45, and solid material by the screwconveyor generally indicated at 46.

Referring to FIG. 6, a motor 47 is mounted on the underside of thecentral plate $2, with the shaft 48 passing through the opening d9. Aplate 50 is adjustably positioned along the threaded shaft 43 by thenuts 51, and a group of arms 52 are 7. A machine as defined in claim 1,wherein the axis of rotation of said member is vertical, and said innercourse moves upwardly,

8. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said filter blanket includesa layer of mesh material, and said drive means includes toothed wheelmeans engaging said mesh.

9. A machine as defined in claim ll, wherein said groups of carrierrollers are interposed between the said rollers mounted at the oppositeends of said ring, said filter blanket being interposed between saidring rollers and carrier rollers.

10. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said liquid and solidreceiver means are concentric.

ll. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein the rotative speed of saidmember is selected to establish a centrifugal force sufficient todislodge entrapped particles of solid material from the outer course ofsaid filter blanket.

12. A machine as defined in claimll, additionally including agitatormeans mounted on said member and disposed thereon to rotate within saidshroud at a position axially displaced from said plate.

13. A filtering machine having a fixed frame and a member rotatablymounted in said fixed frame, wherein the improvement comprises:

a plate mounted on said member in a position substantially perpendicularto the axis thereof;

a ring having a plurality of rollers mounted at each of the oppositeends of said ring on axes substantially tangential to said ring;

a peripherally continuous endless filter blanket having inner and outercourses disposed on opposite sides of said ring, respectively, andextending over said rollers;

a carrier mounted on said member and including groups of carrier rollersdisposed to receive and support said ring and filter blanket on an axisparallel to the axis of rotation of said member, and disposed tosurround said plate;

drive means for said carrier rollers for inducing relative movement ofthe inner and outer courses of said filter blanket;

liquid receiver means surrounding one end of said carrier;

solid receiver means surrounding the opposite end of said carrier, saiddrive means being adapted to move the inner course of said filterblanket toward said opposite end; and

annular shroud means disposed within said ring and filter blanket, andproviding a passage way communicating from the interior of said shroudto the exterior thereof at positions opposite the inner course of saidfilter blanket.

i is i W i"

1. A filtering machine having a fixed frame and a member rotatablymounted in said fixed frame, wherein the improvement comprises, a platemounted on said member in a position substantially perpendicular to theaxis thereof; a ring having a plurality of rollers mounted at each ofthe opposite ends of said ring on axes substantially tangential to saidring; a peripherally continuous endless filter blanket having inner andouter courses disposed on opposite sides of said ring, respectively, andextending over said rollers; a carrier mounted on said member andincluding groups of carrier rollers disposed to receive and support saidring and filter blanket on an axis parallel to the axis of rotation ofsaid member, and disposed to surround said plate; drive means for saidcarrier rollers for inducing relative movement of the inneR and outercourses of said filter blanket; liquid receiver means surrounding oneend of said carrier; solid receiver means surrounding the opposite endof said carrier, said drive means being adapted to move the inner courseof said filter blanket toward said opposite end; and shroud meansdisposed within said ring and filter blanket, and providing a passageway communicating from the interior of said shroud to the exteriorthereof at positions opposite the inner course of said filter blanket.2. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said member includes ashaft, and said plate is axially adjustable along said shaft.
 3. Amachine as defined in claim 2, wherein the end of said shroud means isaxially spaced from said plate.
 4. A machine as defined in claim 1,wherein said shroud means is secured to said fixed frame, and is axiallyspaced from said plate.
 5. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein saidplate is disposed adjacent said one end of said carrier.
 6. A machine asdefined in claim 1, wherein said ring is substantially conical havingthe major diameter thereof adjacent said one end of said carrier.
 7. Amachine as defined in claim 1, wherein the axis of rotation of saidmember is vertical, and said inner course moves upwardly.
 8. A machineas defined in claim 1, wherein said filter blanket includes a layer ofmesh material, and said drive means includes toothed wheel meansengaging said mesh.
 9. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein saidgroups of carrier rollers are interposed between the said rollersmounted at the opposite ends of said ring, said filter blanket beinginterposed between said ring rollers and carrier rollers.
 10. A machineas defined in claim 1, wherein said liquid and solid receiver means areconcentric.
 11. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein the rotativespeed of said member is selected to establish a centrifugal forcesufficient to dislodge entrapped particles of solid material from theouter course of said filter blanket.
 12. A machine as defined in claim1, additionally including agitator means mounted on said member anddisposed thereon to rotate within said shroud at a position axiallydisplaced from said plate.
 13. A filtering machine having a fixed frameand a member rotatably mounted in said fixed frame, wherein theimprovement comprises: a plate mounted on said member in a positionsubstantially perpendicular to the axis thereof; a ring having aplurality of rollers mounted at each of the opposite ends of said ringon axes substantially tangential to said ring; a peripherally continuousendless filter blanket having inner and outer courses disposed onopposite sides of said ring, respectively, and extending over saidrollers; a carrier mounted on said member and including groups ofcarrier rollers disposed to receive and support said ring and filterblanket on an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said member, anddisposed to surround said plate; drive means for said carrier rollersfor inducing relative movement of the inner and outer courses of saidfilter blanket; liquid receiver means surrounding one end of saidcarrier; solid receiver means surrounding the opposite end of saidcarrier, said drive means being adapted to move the inner course of saidfilter blanket toward said opposite end; and annular shroud meansdisposed within said ring and filter blanket, and providing a passageway communicating from the interior of said shroud to the exteriorthereof at positions opposite the inner course of said filter blanket.